Cable operated tractor gate



Sept. 27, 1938. P. A. KINZIE ET AL 2,131,052

CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE Filed Dec. 28, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1Fig.2

III

Phillip A K'z'nzz'e 7 BY Jahn L.5ava ge 4 War/2911 HKbhler ATTORNEY.

' l INVENFORSD Sept. 27, 1938. P. A. 'KINZIE ET AL 2,131,052

CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE I Filed Dec. 28, 1955 a Sheets-Sheet 2 o c oo o o a 0 v c o 0 o @a-QR m ATTORNEY.

BY John LSavaye 5 Mzrrenl-[Kahler 6 if" INVENTORS. Phil/i 'A,hinzz'e'Sept. 27, 1938.

P. A. KINZIE ET AL I 33L052 CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE 7 Filed Dec. 28,1955 '8 Sheets-sheaf 3 INVENTORS. Phi/Zip AKz'nzie Warren H Kohler BY@QRW ATTORNEY.

Sept. 27, 1938. P. KINZIE ET AL CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fil ed Dec. 28

nccocc no co oo o n o 0 on a one o no o o o 000 a 00 can A. KinzizWarren H. Ko/vlez" 9 Phillip y John 'L. SGVCI e ATTORNEY,

Sept. 27, 1938. P. A. KINZIE ET AL 2,131,052 I CABLE OPERATED TRACTORGATE Filed Dec. 28, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 26 INVENTORS.

Phi/Zip fL/(z'rzzz'e BY Ja/mLSavaye MhrrenHKvHer ATTORNEY.

P 27, 1938' P. A. KlNZlE Ei- A1. 2,131,052

CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE Filed Dec. 28, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 mun UII I I I I INVENTORS. ooooo0oooo 0 00000000000 0 Phillip -A.Kz'nzie yJohn L.5a1 a ge 5? Warren H Kb/zler awam ATTORNEY.

Sept. 27, 1938. P. A. KINZIE ET AL CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE 8Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec 28, 1935 Sept. 27, 1938. RA. Kmzu: ET AL.2,131,052

CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATE Filed Dec. 28, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet a 0 00000000 OO O O O O 25 F 24 5 Fig. 25 h 123 116 a" 11 .1 o 712 117 o E :1 I-119--a 3 26 126 127 INVENTORS.

phi/lip A. Kinzie By div/m LSal/age d Warren H K011i?! ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES CABLE OPERATED TRACTOR GATEPhillip A. Kinzie, John L. Kohler, Denver, Colo., Hydraulic Corporation,

poration of Colorado Savage, and Warren H. assignors to UniversalDenver, 0010., a. cor- Application December 28, 1935, Serial No. 56,419

8 Claims.

This application relates to roller-mounted gates, such as are employedto control the flow of a fluid from a reservoir into an orifice for apenstock or conduit. In general, this application relates torollermounted gates which are located on the upstream face of a dam andwhich are raised and lowered vertically by means of a cable hoist. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to gates employing dual,oval-shaped roller carriage elements 10 which have a sloping planeparallel with a sloping plane on the gate leaf member for the purpose ofproducing lateral motion of the leaf when relative motion is producedbetween the roller carriage elements and the leaf member. Further, thisin- 16 vention relates to a method of controlling the relative motion ofthe roller carriage elements and gate leaf member by an arrangement ofthe hoisting means for said parts.

Previous embodiments of the principle of seat- 20 ing employed hereinare described in application by Phillip A. Kinzie, filed February 8,1933 (Serial No. 655,803) and by Phillip A. Kinzie, et al., filedDecember 28, 1935 (Serial No. 56,418). 7

Inasmuch as it is advantageous to be able-to inspect, paint, or servicea gate without completely withdrawing the gate from active service, thisgate is so constructed that it can be installed on the upstream face ofa dam and raised above the reservoir water surface for the reasonshereinbefore enumerated. A rigid stem would preclude lifts, such as arenecessary for raising the gate unit above the reservoir level;therefore, a more convenient and flexible hoisting means must beemployed. A cable satisfies these requirements, but

because of the principle of seating employed on this gate, the properrelationship between the gate leaf and roller carriages must beaccurately controlled at all times. The sloping planes on the rollercarriage elements and on the gate leaf mem- 40 ber produce a verticalcomponent which tends to roll the leaf member upward along the rollercarriage elements when greater water pressure is present on the upstreamface of the gate leaf member than is present on thedownstreamfacethereof. This condition is most acute when the gate leaf is down andbefore it has been moved against the orifice seats; for in this positionthe water will have receded from the downstream'face of the gate leafleaving only atmospheric pressure thereon, whereas the upstream facewillv be subjected to the reservoir head pressure. In order to overcomethe tendency for the gate leaf member to roll up the sloping plane onroller carriage elements, .it is necessary to be able to lift the gateleaf and at the same timeexert a downward pressure thereonyor, statedin. different words, it is necessary toexert a separating force betweenthe gate leaf member and roller carriage elements. Further, it isnecessary that a means whereby relative motion between the gate leafmember and the roller carriage elements can be obtained for the purposeof seating the gate leaf.

We have simply and positively overcome this paradoxical obstacle-that ofholding the gate leaf down while raising or lowering the unit by 10flexible mean s+by the use of either levers or auxiliary sheaves, andbya manner. of arranging the hoisting cables. Both methods which are shownand described herein are dependent only upon the hoist for theiroperation. The meansby which 15 the foregoing, as well as the following,objects are attained will be fully described herein.

Our invention has as an object, a means for interrupting the flow of afluid into an orifice from a fluid retaining reservoir by aroller-mounted 20 leaf member, raised and lowered vertically by a cablehoisting element.

Our invention has as an object, a cable hoisting means which will raiseand lower a roller- 7 mounted gate unit and parts of said unit in theirproper relationship.

Our invention has as an object,a cable hoisting means whichwill exert aseparating force between the elements comprising a gate leaf and rollercarriages. i 30 Our invention has as an object, a cable hoisting meanswhich will produce 'a separating force between .the elements of a gateleaf and the elements of dual roller carriages wherein, lever arms,pivoted on a crosshead member connecting the 35 roller carriageelements, and having sheaves mounted on one end thereof and having theopposite ends thereof connected to the gate leaf member by linkage, willproduce said separating force.

5 Our invention has as an object, a squaring 40 means whereby themovement of dual lever arms can be synchronized by gear segmentsintegrally mounted on said lever arms.

Our invention has as an object an arrangement of sheaves and a manner ofreeving a hoisting rope 45 thereon which will produce a separating forcebetween the elements comprising a gate leaf and roller carriages.

Our invention has as an object, a means for maintaining, a crossheadmember parallel with a .50 gate leaf memberby the use of dual racks andpinions.

' Our invention has as an object, a meansfor inducing a separatingforce, between a gate leaf ember and 'dual' roller carriage. elements,which 55 which will maintain all 25 will form an integral part of thegate unit and which will be dependent solely upon a hoisting cable forits actuation.

Our invention has as an object, the arrangement of a gate installationwherein the gate unit can be raised above the surface of the waterretained in a reservoir for the purpose of inspection, painting, andmaintenance.

Our invention has as an object a means whereby the downward componentsproduced by fluid flow beneath the bottom of a gate leaf member can beminimized by the shape of the bottom of said gate leaf.

Our invention has as an object, a means whereby roller-mounted sheavesmay be immersed in a fluid without having said fluid enter the bearingsurfaces thereof.

Our invention has as an "object, 'a hoisting means for a roller-mountedgate unit wherein the cable hoisting medium therefor is not immersed inwater while the gate is in service in the raised position.

To make clear the manner by which we attain these objectives and tosatisfy the patent statutes, there will now be described the specificembodiments of the invention which have been illustrated in theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the upstream face of a dam showingthe general arrangement of a gate leaf and hoisting elements.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the same plane as Fig. 2, but shows thegate in the raised position.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a section Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an upstream elevation of the gate leaf, crosshead, and rollertrains.

Fig. 9 is a view taken on the plane 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the plane Ill-l 0 of Fig. 8. I

Fig. 11 is a section taken on the plane 11-! l of Fig. 8. t I

Fig. 12 is a portion of Fig. 11 somewhat enlarged.

7 Fig. 13 is a sectional plan of the crosshead and gate taken on theplane l3-l3 of Fig.8.

Fig. 14 is a section taken on the plane Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a section taken on a plane similar to Fig. 14, but shows thecrosshead and roller trains in the lowered position. Y

Fig. 16 is a section taken on the plane Iii-l6 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a section of Fig. 14. 7

Fig. 18 is an. enlarged section of the sheaves shown on Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a section showing in detail the mounting and sealing of thecable sheaves.

Fig. 20 is a section taken on the plane 20-20 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 21 is asection taken on the plane 2I-2l of Fig. 14.

Fig. 22 is a sectional plan of an alternate .arrangementof thecrosshead. r

Fig. 23 is a section'taken on-the plane 23-23 of Fig. 22.

taken on the plane 5-5 of on the plane 6-6 of taken on the plane 1-1 oftaken on the plane l'l-ll Fig. 24 is a section taken on the plane 24-24of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a section taken on the plane 25-25 of Fig. 23.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 21 inclusive illustrate onecomplete embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 22 to 25 inclusiveillustrate an alternate method of construction for the crosshead. In theaccompanying description identical elements of both constructions willbe desighated by the same reference numerals.

By reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 it will be seen that the gate leaf 1,crosshead 2, and roller carriages 3 are raised by the hoist 4 throughthe medium of the hoisting cable 5.

The hoisting cable 5 is wound on the grooved, twin drums 6 (Figs. 4, 5,6 and 1) which are turned by the pinion I and ring gear 8 which isintegrally mounted between the twin drums 6. The synchronized motor andintegral speed-reduction units 9 which drive the pinion shaft IE)through the flexible couplings llimpart to the drums the torquenecessary for raising the gate 1, crosshead 2, and roller carriages 3.The solenoid brakes 12, which are mounted directly on the outwardlyextending ends of the motor shafts, provide a positive means of stoppingthe gate in any desired position. These solenoids are so constructedthat they exert a braking force on the motor shaft at all times exceptwhen electric energy is turning the motors; further, their size is keptto a minimum because of their being connected to the motor shaft, anarrangement which allows relatively low capacity solenoids to positivelysustain the gate in any desired position or prevent its dropping in theevent of power failure. The indication and control unit I3 limits thetravel of the gate leaf l and gives both direct and selsyn indication ofthe gate position.

7 The outwardly extending trunnion shafts H3 on the outwardly facingheads of the twin drums 6 are journaled in the bearings l5 which in turnare supported on the hoist frame Hi. The pinion shaft bearings H arealso supported on the hoist frame l6 as are the motor and speedreduction units 9, the solenoid brakes l2, and the gear guard l8. Thehoist frame is anchored to the floor of the recess in the dam I9 and hasits overhanging portion supported on the braces 20.

Inasmuch as the lift of gates in many cases requires several layers ofcable to be wrapped on the drums, the added precaution of providing anautomatic cable winding unit 2| (Figs. 4 and 7) has been taken. Thisdevice is driven by an auxiliary set of gears on the pinion shaft H]which drive the shaft 22. The cable feeder units 23 are driven by dualthreaded shafts 24- extending to the outward extremity of both drumsfrom the unit 2i. A dual set of guide sheaves 25 which are mounted onthe cable feeder units 23, and between which the cable 5 is threaded,guide the ca le on the drums evenly. A more complete description of thisdevice will be made on an application in the future and the means bywhich reversing of the rotation of the threaded shafts 24 will be fullydisclosed.

The gate leaf l (Figs. Band 9) is built up of I beam sections 26. Theends of the I beams are attached to the side plates 21 (Figs. 11, 12,and '14) by clip angles andare further secured at their outward ends bythe vertical channels 28. A vertical bar 29 together with the slopingbars 30 tie the outstanding flanges of the I beams 26 stream flange ofthe'I beams 26 (Figs. 11 and 12), and a sloping plate 32 in which theholes 33 are cut is attached to the bottom beam. The fiat portion of thebottom likewise has holes 34 cut therein, and is stiffened by the webplates 35 in which the holes 36 are out. The sloping bottom and holesperform a function which will be hereinafter described. m

The side frames 3'! (Figs. 9; 11 and 12) which are bolted to the sideplates 2'! have a sloping surface 38 which is parallel to the slopingsurface 39 on the roller carriages 3. Between these two surfaces, whichare faced with the non-corrodible tracks 40 and 4|, is a train ofrollers 42 which are connected by the links 43 and are retained incorrect position by the chain 44 which has one end rigidly secured tothe roller carriage 3 by the clevis block 45 and has its oppositetermination secured to the clevis block 46 which is adjustable by thestuds 41. The reaction of the studs is taken by the brackets 48 whichare rigidly secured to the side frames 37. Inasmuch as the chain 44 islooped under the pinion 43 at the upper termination of the roller trainbetween the Wedge surfaces, relative motion between the roller carriage3 and side frame 31 will insure the correct positioning of the wedgerollers at all times.

A continuous roller train formed by the rollers 50 and links 5| (Figs.8, 9 and 12) operates around the continuous oval-shaped track formed bythe roller carriage 3 and the idler beam 52. The surfaces upon which therollers travel are faced by the non-corrodible tracks 53 on the rollercarriages, and the non-corrodible tracks 54 on the idler beams 52. Theroller carriage units are slidably retained on the side frames 31 by thegrooved plates 55 which are attached to the side frames parallel withthe sloping surfaces 38 and 39. The adjustable brackets 56 which aregrooved to receive the guide strips 51 'on the idler beams 52 alsofunction to keep the roller carriage units centralized with respect tothe side frames 31 and at the same time serve to reinforce the slenderidler beams. The final factor in keeping the roller carriage units andside frames centralized is the finished surfaces 58 and 59 on theinwardly extending flanges of the roller carriages 3. Contact betweenthe finished surfaces 58 and 59 and the mating finished surfaces on theside frames 31 together with the other elements hereinbefore describedpositively assures that the roller carriage unit will be centralizedwith the side frames, and at the same time allows the entire gate unitto be centralized by means of the guide plates 60 and guide strips 6|.The shims B2 and 63 permit adjustment of the guide plate 60 and theguide strip 6|.

The gate unit rolls up and down vertically upon the non-corrodibletracks 64 which are attached to the vertical members of the orificeframe 65 (Fig. 12) in the zone adjacent to the orifice, and are attachedto the imbedded channels 66 above the orifice. A rectangularnon-corrodible seat 67 is attached to the orifice frame 65 and a matingseat 68 is attached to the gate leaf land side frames 31. It is thecontacting of these two leafs which effects the sealing of the gate.

In order that the gate unit will be positively held against the rollertracks 64 while it is being raised or lowered, non-corrodible T shapedslide bars 69 (Fig. 12) are inserted in the mating retaining brackets 10which are secured to the side frames 31. The springs 1| impart a thrustupon the bars 69 which are in contact with the imbedded slide plates 12and consequently. impart bar and springs.

the spring reaction to the gate unit and hold the gate against thetracks 64. Another reason for providing these pressure contactingelements is to minimize the tendency for the gate to vibrate. When gatesof the general type shown in this application are closed with Waterpassing through the orifice there is a tendency for the gate to vibratebecause of the turbulences and partial vacuum which are produced on thedownstream face of the gate leaf; therefore, it is essential that thegate leaf unit shall be rigidly retained within its guiding slot by somesuch method as the slide It has also been found efiicacious to admit airto the downstream face of the gate leaf by an air duct in order tominimize the vacuum thereon. The air duct 13 (Fig. 2) serves thispurpose.

In all reservoirs there is a certain amount of waterlogged, submergeddebris, such as leaves, twigs, and trees. In order that the small debriswhich will not be screened out by the trashracks 74 (Fig. 2) will notcollect on the roller trains and cause malfunctioning of the gate unit,a U-shaped shroud 15 has been attached to the idler beam 52, the shroud16 (Fig. 9) has been placed around the lower portion of the rollercarriage 3,,and another metal shroud 11 has been placed around the upperportion of the roller carriage. In addition to these shrouding elementsit will be seen by examining Fig. 12 that the construction is such thatthe grooved plate 55 also serves to exclude trash from the rollers 42,and that the general construction of the roller carriage elements issuch that they inhibit the intrusion of foreign matter into the rollertrains.

The roller carriages 3 are bolted to the crosshead brackets 18 (Fig. 14)on the trunnion shafts 19. The crosshead brackets 18 are in turn boltedto, and serve as spacers for, the crosshead beams thus it will be seenthat the crosshead and roller carriages are in effect one unit and thegate leaf withtheside frames form a second unit whose motion bothvertically and horizon tally is controlled by the crosshead and rollercarriage units.

It is necessary to exert a' separating force between the crosshead andgate leaf units-because of the sloping surfaces 39 and 38 on the rollercarriage 3 and side frame members 3'! respectively. These slopingsurfaces are the means whereby the seat 61 on the orifice frame 65 andthe seat 68 on the downstream face of the gate leaf l are brought intocontact for sealing the opening and stopping the flow of watertherethrough, or for moving the gate leaf and seats horizontally out-ofcontact with each other before the gate unit is raised so that therewill be no sliding friction between the seating surfaces when the gateunit is being raised. When the roller carriage units and crossheads areraised as shown on Figs. 8 and 14, the seats 61 and 68 will be out ofcontact, but when the crosshead and roller car riages are in theposition with relation to the gate leaf as shown on Fig. 15, because ofthe effect of drawing the wedge surface on the roller carriages awayfrom the gate leaf, the gate leaf unit will move downstream and theseats 6'! and 68 will come into contact-as shown on Fig. 12. It will beappreciated by those versed in mechanics that when water pressure ofgreater magnitude is present on the upstream face of the gate leaf lthan is present on the downstream face of the gate leaf, there will be atendency to roll the gate leaf up the sloping surface 39 on the rollercarriage 3-. The upward component thus produced, dependentupon the slopof the Wedge plane, must be resisted by the weight of the gate; and ifthis component exceeds the weight of the gate leaf, some means whichwill exert an additional force between the crosshead and roller carriageunit and gateleaf unit must be employed in order for the gate tofunction properly. The design shown on Figs. 13 to 21 inclusiveillustrates one method of securing this separating force, and the designshown on Figs. 22 to 25 illustrates an alternate method foraccomplishing the same result.

In the first embodiment of this principle, the hoisting cable 5 islooped around the sheaves 8| (Figs. 14 and 17) whichare mounted on thepins 82 through the inwardly extending portions of the levers 83.Inasmuch as a multiple part line is used for hoisting the gate, thesheaves 8| have corresponding sheaves 84 on the underside of the hoistframe 16 (Fig. 7) The sheaves 84 are mounted on the pins 85 which aresupported by the plates 86, and are provided with the grease lines 8'!for lubricating ,the anti-friction roller bearings 88 upon which theyrotate. The mounting of the sheaves 8| (Figs. 18 and 19) shows thedetails of the sheaves and roller bearing mountings for both upper andlower sets of sheaves. The general method of mounting is well known tothose skilled in the arts; but since the sheave assemblies are submergedin, or subject to, the intrusion of water or moisture, special sealingmeans are employed to exclude water from the bearings 88. These meansconsist of: a non-corrodible, spring-metal seal ring 89 (Fig. 19) whichis set into an annular grove cut in the hub of the sheave, theresistance grooves 90, and the groove 9| inwhich a packing ring 92 isretained. It will be noted that the surfaces adjacent to these sealingmeans are so arranged that it is unnecessary to provide sealing units onallsheaves; for when the unit is assembled on the pin 82 with the coverdisks 93 and nuts 94, each seal will bear firmly againstjthe surfaceadjacent and thus effectively prevents the intrusion of water ormoisture into the roller bearings 88. A means for greasing the rollersis provided by the drilled holes 95 The fulcrum of the levers 83 is onthe fulcrum pins 98 which are journaled in the cup bearings 91 (Fig. 20)on the cross-head beams 80. The levers .83 are welded to theirrespective .hub elements 98 which are keyed to the fulcrum pins 96;hence all of the elements of both levers 83 comprisea rigid member. Thelinks 99 (Figs. 14, 15 and 20) are connected by the pins I09 to theoutwardly extending portions of the levers 83 and to the brackets I!!!which are rigidly secured to the top of the gate leaf 1. The gearsegments I02, which are mounted on the inward terminations of the leverarms 83, are provided to insure that both roller carriages will beraised in unison, since the connection between the crosshead and rollercarriages is; incapable of performing this duty. The condition of theroller carriage units not raising unison might be encountered should onecarriage tend to stick in the lower position; therefore, this provisionhas been made to prevent the damaging of the crosshead and carriageunits which would result should the roller carriages not raise inunison.

It will be noticed thatinorder to protect the moving parts of thecrosshead unit from the debris previously mentioned, cover plates I03(Figs. 13 and 14) have been placed over the top of the unit as well asthe end plates I04 and 105, and the encasing boxes I06 and ,l 01 on theunderside of the crosshead beams .80.

In order that the functioning of the crosshead unit may be clearlyunderstood, an operating cycle of the gate will now be described. Assumethe gate to be in the upper position as shown on Fig. 3. The crossheadand roller carriage units will be in the position shown on Fig. 14,because the weight of the gate leaf l, crosshead unit 2, and rollercarriage ,units 3 will be suspended from the sheaves 84 on the undersideof the hoist frame I8 and will be carried by the sheaves 8! on theinwardly extending portions of the levers 83. This arrangement willproduce on the fulcrum pins 96 an upward force which is transmitted tothe crosshead beams 80, and a downward force acting upon the'gate leaf Ithrough the links 99. The magnitude of these forces may be varied bychanging the distance from the center to fulcrum of the lever armemployed. As the hoisting cable is payed off from the twin drums 6, thegate will be lowered until it comes to rest on the metal stops locatedon the bottom sill of the rectangular inlet orifice. When the gate hasreached this position, the most acute tendency for the gate to roll upthe sloping surface of the roller carriage is manifest, provided thereis little or no water pressure on the downstream face of the gate leafI. An analysis of the forces will show why the gate leaf cannot rollupward on the sloping surface of the roller carriage. Inasmuch as thereis a force tending to roll the gate leaf upward there must be an equaland opposite force tending to pull the roller carriages and crossheadunit downward. This downward force on the roller carriages plus theweight of the roller carriages and crosshead units is supported by thesheaves and hoisting cable, and, consequently, produces a force throughthe lovers 83 which acts downward upon the gate leaf and thus offsetsthe tendency of the gate leaf to roll upward, since there is a netdownward component in addition to its own weight, holding the gate leafon the bottom sill of the orifice. Stating the condition from anotherangle, in order for the gate leaf to roll upward on the roller carriagethe gate would have to lift itself against its own weight plus thedownward component imposed through the levers and links by the crossheadandroller carriage units. A condition of this sort obviously cannotexist unless there is an actual buoyancy of the gate leaf which exceedsthe weight of all of the parts comprising the orifice closure unit.Since the condition of equilibrium described exists until the rollercarriages reach the end of their downward travel and the levers 83 withtheir component elements are in the position shown on Fig. 15, it isapparent that the gate leaf will not roll upward on the sloping surfaceson the roller carriages. As the roller carriages travel downward afterthe gate has come to rest on the bottom sill, the withdrawing of thesloping surfaces on the roller carriages will allow the springs ll (Fig.12) and the water pressure on the upstream side of the gate leaf 1 tomove the gate horizontally downstream until the gate seat 68 bearsagainst the orifice seat 61, and thus complete the closing cycle.

There is another contingency which must be taken into account in thedesign of gates of this type which are closed under unbalancedconditions. When water is flowing beneath the gate under conditionswhich approach those of a free discharge, there is a resultingdropin'pressuredue to the velocity on the underside of the gate;

but the downward force on the gate imposed by the sloping plate 32 tendsto restrict the orifice and maintains the pressure differential as lowas design conditions will permit. In addition, the holes 33, 34 and 35permit the pressure to more nearly equalize itself on the underside ofthe gate leaf. We do not claim that the design shown herein willeliminate the pressure differential; however, the design as illustrateddoes eliminate the possibility of a partial vacuum on the underside ofthe gate, and does more nearly equalize the differential pressure whichwill be present.

In the opening cycle of the gate,the circular penstock 598 (Fig. 2) asWell as the transition section I09 will be filled with water through theby-pass line III). When the pressure is equalized on both sides of thegate 1eaf, the gate unit is raised. This method of opening naturallyassiunes that a second gate, such as a turbine wicket gate or some othermeans of closure is present downstream from the orifice gate. Sincethese gates are generally employed as emergency gates, a second closingmeans is generally present in the penstock or conduit; however, it is tobe understood that the gate unit can be raised as well as lowered underunbalanced conditions. The by-pass H0 is used where there is a secondgate in order to prevent the impact on a second gate of a large volumeof water which would enter the penstock or conduit, should the orificegate be opened without filling the conduit or penstock between thegates.

In the alternate design shown on Figs. 22 to 25 inclusive, the rollercarriage units are mounted on the pins III which are carried by matingbores in the roller carriage 3 and the crosshead brackets H2, (Fig. 23).The sheaves II3 are mounted on the pins I I4 which are journaled in thetrunnion bearings I IS on the crosshead beams H6. The secondary sets ofsheaves II! are carried on the pins H8 which are retained in matingholes in the bracket plates II9 attached to the gate leaf I. A spacingspool I 20 maintains the sheaves I I! in the proper alignment and theweb plates I2I perform a similar function in that they align and giverigidity to the bracket plates I IS. The sheave shields I22 and I23, andthe cover plates I24 prevent the hoisting cable 5 from jumping out ofthe sheave grooves, should there be slack in the cable, and help toexclude foreign matter which might collect on the sheaves and impairtheir efficiency.

A rack I25 (Figs. 23 and 25) which is shown attached to one of thecrosshead brackets II2 illustrates a means for positively insuring thatboth ends of the crosshead will raise in unison. The teeth on the rackI25 are in mesh with the dual pinions I26 which are rigidly keyed to thetransverse shafts I21, journaled in the bearings I28; hence, if a rackwere assembled on the opposite crosshead bracket I I2 and engagedpinions which were rigidly keyed to the shafts I21, it is apparent thatthe crosshead would remain horizontal while being raised or lowered. Itis to be understood that the crosshead will raise horizontally unlessone of the roller carriage units sticks; and it is for this contingencythat it may be found advisable to include a squaring means, such as therack and pinions which are illustrated. I In order that the manner inwhich this crosshead unit functions to produce a separating forcebetween the crosshead and gate leaf I, an analysis of the forces willnow be made. Assume the weight of the gate leaf, crosshead and rollercarriage is being supported on the hoisting cable 5. Inasmuch as thecable is continuous, and is provided with an equalizing means, thetension in the cable will be equal in all of the multiple parts whichhoist the gate. It will be noticed that several parts of the hoistingcable are passed beneath the sheaves H3 and over the sheaves II'I;therefore, the tension, in the cable will produce forces tending to pullthe sheaves H3 upward while equal and opposite forces Will be producedwhich will exert a downward force on the sheaves II'I. Since thedownward force on the sheaves II! is transmitted to the gate leaf I andthe upward force on the sheaves is transmitted to the crosshead unit, itwill be apparent that there Will be established a'separating forcebetween the two elements. These forces will obviously be present at alltimes while there is tension in the hoisting cable; therefore, thisarrangement will perform exactly the same duty as the design previouslydescribed. It will be equally apparent that by varying the number ofsheaves II I on the pins II8 the downward force upon the gate leaf canbe made to vary considerably.

By studying the two alternates it will be seen that the principleinvolved for producing the separating force is in each instanceidenticalit is only the method of execution that differs. We mentionthis in order that the flexibility of the principle will be appreciated.From this fact it will be apparent to those skilled in the arts thatthis application precludes illustrating, the many variations of elementsand methods of reeving of the hoisting cable which can be made toproduce the same result without departing from the spirit of ourinvention.

When the water surface is below the platform I29 (Figs. -1 and 2) thegate unit may be raised and supported on the beams I 30 which are hingedand swing outward to form a support for the gate unit. With the gateunit in this position, it is accessible by descending the ladder I3Ifrom the platform above and may be inspected, painted or serviced. Whenthe water is above the surface of platform I29, under operatingconditions the gate unit is dropped down slightly into the opening I32as shown on Fig. 3 and thus forms a bulkhead and prevents waterloggedtimbers which are generally present in reservoirs from entering thepenstock or conduit throughthe opening I32.

Another feature of the structure is the manner in which debriscollecting in the roller carriage pits I33 is expelled. It is essentialthat these pits be free of foreign matter when the gate is lowered,since the roller carriage units travel downward into this space duringthe lowering and seating of the gate unit. These pits are freed ofdebris by releasing compressed air into the bottom of the pits throughthe air lines I34. The air will agitate and exert a lift on the debriscarrying it upward and into the path of the water passing through theorifice and allow it to be carried away.

While in the foregoing we have described speciflc embodiments of ourinvention, it is, nevertheless, to be understood in practicing the samewe may resort to any and allmodifications which fall within the scope ofthe appended claims defining the invention.

We claim:

1. In combination with a gateway, a drop gate member seating therein,cooperating inclined plane means for moving the gate member from aseated position while under pressure in advance of opening movement,cable means initiating the movement along the inclined plane means fromthe seated position and for accomplishing opening and closing travel ofthe gate member, and means resisting forces tending to move the gateupwardly on the inclined plane means as pressure builds up on one sidethereof.

2. In combination with a gateway, a gate unit movable transversely ofthe way and including relatively movable parts one of which is a gateleaf, inclined plane means between the leaf and complementary parts forseating and unseating the gate leaf prior to opening and closingmovement of the unit, and cable operated gate opening and closingmechanism affording flexible suspension for said unit and includingcooperating means exerting a downward thrust on said gate leaf to relatethe relative movement of the gate leaf and other gate unit parts.

3. In combination with a gateway, a gate unit movable transversely ofthe Way and including relatively movable parts one of which is a gateleaf, inclined plane means between the leaf and complementary parts forseating and unseating the gate leaf prior to opening and closingmovement of the unit, and cable operated gate opening and closingmechanism including multiple cooperating means relating the relativemovement of the gate leaf and other gateunit parts to equally distributethe gate raising effort and oppose the tendency of said gate leaf tomove upwardly due to pressure acting thereon.

4. In combination with a gateway, a gate unit movable transversely ofthe way and including relatively movable parts one of which is a gateleaf, inclined plane means between the leaf and complementary parts forseating and unseating the gate leaf prior to opening and closingmovement of the unit, and gate opening and closing mechanism includingcable means suspending said gate unit parts and cooperating synchronizedmeans relating the relative movement of the gate movable transversely ofthe way and including relatively movable parts one of which is a gateleaf, inclined plane means between the leaf and complementary parts forseating and unseating the gate leaf prior to opening and closingmovement of the unit, gate opening and closing mechanism including cablemeans for flexibly support ing said gate leaf and cooperating meansrelating the relative movement of the gate leaf and other gate unitparts for opening and closing movements of said unit, andmeans connectedwith said gate supporting means for arresting gate movement at any gateunit position. 7

6. In combination, a gateway and a gate leaf seating therein, a carriageon which said gate leaf is movable into open and closed positionstransversely of said gateway, said gate leaf and carriage beingrelatively movable to seat and unseat said leaf, and cable meansflexibly suspending said gate leaf through a jointed connection withsaid carriage, structure.

'7. In combination, a gateway and a gate leaf seating therein, acarriage on which said gate leaf is movable into open and closedpositions transversely of said gateway, said gate leaf and carriagebeing relatively movable to seat and unseat said leaf, cable meanssuspending said carriage structure, and a flexible connection betweensaid gate leaf and said carriage whereby a downward thrust is imposed onsaid gate leaf suflicient to overcome a lifting force on the leaf due tounbalanced pressure conditions on opposite sides thereof.

8. In combination, a gateway and a gate leaf seating therein, a carriageon which said gate leaf is movable into open and closed positionstransversely of said gateway, said gate leaf and. carriage beingrelatively movable to seat and unseat said leaf, and means flexiblysuspending said gate leaf and carriage structure including connectionswith said gate leaf whereby a downward thrust is imposed on said gateleaf sufiicient to overcome a lifting force on the leaf due tounbalanced pressure conditions on opposite sides thereof.

PHILLIP A. KINZIE.

JOHN L. SAVAGE.

WARREN H. KOHLER.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION, Patent No 2,1 1,052. I v September 27 19 8.

PHILLIP A. KINZIE, ET AL. It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification of the above numbered patent requiringcorrection as follows: Page 5, first column, line 66, for the word"leafs" read seats} page first column, line 56, for "grove" read groove;and'that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office. I I r 4 Signed and sealed this 13th day of December, A,D. 1938.

Henry Van Arsdal e (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

